MLC 2006: 10 Rights Every Indian Seafarer Must Know and Enforce

Every seafarer who sails on an international vessel — regardless of flag state, company nationality, or what your contract says — is protected by the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC 2006). Often called the “Seafarers’ Bill of Rights,” MLC 2006 is an ILO treaty ratified by 100+ countries, including India (ratified October 2015).

Yet most seafarers — especially younger ones — don’t know what their rights actually are. That ignorance costs them: unpaid wages, forced overtime, denied repatriation, and poor medical care happen regularly because seafarers don’t know they can push back.

This guide covers your 10 most important rights under MLC 2006, in plain language.

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What is MLC 2006?

The Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 consolidates 68 earlier ILO conventions into one comprehensive framework. It came into force 20 August 2013 and applies to all commercial ships of 500 GT or above on international voyages.

MLC 2006 is structured around 5 Titles covering minimum requirements, conditions of employment, accommodation, health protection, and compliance. Port State Control (PSC) inspectors at any port worldwide can inspect any ship for MLC compliance — and detain it if serious violations are found.

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Right 1: Minimum Wage

What MLC says: Every seafarer is entitled to minimum wages as set by the ILO/ITF Joint Maritime Commission.

2026 minimum (AB / Able Seaman): $658 USD/month (ITF minimum). Officer minimums are set higher by Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).

What this means: Your company cannot pay below ITF minimum — even if your contract says otherwise. Underpayment is a detainable MLC deficiency. The ship can be stopped at port until wages are corrected.

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Right 2: Prompt and Regular Payment

What MLC says: Wages must be paid at no greater than monthly intervals, transferred to your nominated bank account or paid in cash, with no unauthorised deductions.

In practice:

• No company can hold wages for “operational reasons”
• Family allotments must be processed as you direct
• Wages overdue by 2+ months → ITF considers this a serious violation

If wages are delayed: Email HR/manning agency in writing (keep records). Contact your flag state. Contact the nearest ITF Inspector — free of charge, at every major port.

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Right 3: Working Hours and Rest Hours

MLC / STCW mandates:

• Minimum 10 hours rest in any 24-hour period
• Minimum 77 hours rest in any 7-day period
• Rest may be split into max 2 periods; one must be at least 6 consecutive hours

Alternative (maximum working hours):

• Maximum 14 hours work in any 24-hour period
• Maximum 72 hours work in any 7-day period

Why this matters: Fatigue is the #1 cause of maritime accidents. You have the legal right to refuse work that violates rest requirements, and the company cannot penalise you for it.

Critical: Never sign a rest hour record that doesn’t reflect actual hours. Signing false records creates legal liability for you, not protection.

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Right 4: Safe and Decent Accommodation

MLC requirements:

• Minimum cabin size per seafarer (varies by vessel build date)
• Adequate ventilation, heating, and lighting
• Proper sanitation (minimum 1 toilet per 6 persons)
• Recreational facilities — gym, TV room, outdoor deck access
• Adequate, nutritious food and drinking water at no cost

What to do if substandard: Report to the Master in writing. Unresolved? Report to the flag state or Port State Control at next port. PSC can issue deficiencies that prevent the ship from sailing.

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Right 5: Health Protection and Medical Care

MLC guarantees:

• Onboard medical care at no cost to the seafarer
• Medical care ashore when needed — also no cost
• Coverage for medical expenses for at least 16 weeks after being put ashore due to sickness/injury
• Sick pay (wages continued) for the same 16-week minimum period

Key points:

• If injured or ill on board, the company must bear all costs including hospitalisation, surgery, and repatriation
• You cannot be asked to pay for treatment related to your duties
• Life insurance and P&I coverage must be in place (MLC Title 4)

If medical care is denied: Contact ITF or your flag state immediately. This is among the most serious MLC violations possible.

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Right 6: Repatriation

When must the company repatriate you at no cost:

• Employment agreement expires while at sea
• Agreement terminated by the employer (for any reason)
• Cannot continue duties due to illness or injury
• Ship is sold, changes flag, or is detained
• Company is insolvent or unable to meet obligations

Repatriation must include:

• Transport to your place of engagement or home country
• Accommodation and food during travel
• Wages paid until you reach your destination

If repatriation is denied: This is one of the most severe MLC violations. Contact the ITF Inspector at your current port, or call the ISWAN 24/7 Helpline: +44 20 7323 2737 immediately.

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Right 7: Seafarers’ Employment Agreement (SEA)

Before joining any ship, you must have a written, signed SEA that specifies:

• Shipowner name and address
• Your name, DOB, and rank
• Place and date of engagement
• Wages (including overtime rates)
• Paid leave entitlements
• Health and social security coverage
• Termination conditions

Your rights: Review the SEA before signing. Request the CBA if the ship is covered by one. A copy of your signed SEA must be available to you on board at all times.

Never sign a blank or partially filled SEA. This is your primary legal protection. An incomplete SEA is unenforceable.

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Right 8: Paid Leave

MLC minimum: 2.5 days paid leave per month of sea service = 30 days per year minimum.

Key facts:

• Leave cannot be contractually waived — any clause waiving leave is unenforceable
• Leave pay is calculated on your basic wage
• Accumulated leave must be paid out if your contract ends before leave is taken

Common violation: Companies pressuring seafarers to sign on immediately after returning without paying out unused leave. Know your entitlement and request it in writing before signing on again.

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Right 9: Right to Make a Complaint

Onboard complaint procedure:

1. Submit complaint in writing to the Master (keep a copy)
2. If the Master is the problem, escalate directly to the company’s designated person ashore
3. Ship operators must post onboard complaint contact details — this is an MLC requirement

Onshore options:

• Port State Control (PSC): Approach PSC inspectors at any port worldwide. They can inspect, interview crew privately, and detain the vessel.
• ITF Inspector: At 600+ ports globally. Free, confidential, effective. Find yours at itfseafarers.org/en/itf-affiliated-unions
• Flag State Authority: DG Shipping for Indian-flag vessels. For foreign-flag vessels, contact their flag state.

Protection: MLC prohibits victimisation of seafarers for filing complaints. If you’re threatened for making a complaint, that’s a separate MLC violation.

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Right 10: Social Security Coverage

MLC requires coverage for:

• Medical care
• Sickness and injury benefit
• Old age / pension
• Employment injury / occupational disease
• Maternity benefit (where applicable)
• Survivors’ benefits

For Indian seafarers on Indian-flag vessels: EPF contributions apply. On foreign-flag vessels, flag state social security or equivalent private coverage must be provided. Always confirm your social security arrangements before signing any contract.

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Key Organizations That Protect You

Organization	Role	Contact
ITF	Seafarer representation, port inspections, wage recovery	itfseafarers.org
ISWAN	24/7 distress helpline for seafarers	+44 20 7323 2737
ILO	Sets MLC standards, receives formal complaints	ilo.org
DG Shipping	Indian flag state authority	dgshipping.gov.in
NUSI	Indian seafarer trade union	nusi.in

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How to File a Complaint in India

1. DG Shipping online portal — For Indian-flag ships or Indian manning company violations
2. NUSI — Represents Indian seafarers internationally; active in dispute resolution
3. Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways — For serious or systemic violations
4. ITF — If the ship is in a foreign port; they act quickly

For urgent situations (abandoned on board, medical emergency denied, wages withheld 3+ months) — ISWAN 24/7 first.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does MLC apply to Indian seafarers on foreign ships?
Yes. MLC applies based on the ship’s flag and the ports it calls at. All seafarers on board are covered regardless of nationality.

Q: Can my employer fire me for making a complaint?
MLC prohibits it. Document everything. Retaliation becomes an additional MLC violation.

Q: My contract says I waive overtime — is that legal?
No. MLC minimum wage and rest hour rights cannot be waived by contract. Such clauses are legally void.

Q: What is a detained ship and what happens to my wages?
A ship detained by Port State Control cannot sail. Your wages continue during detention, and repatriation may be arranged at the owner’s cost.

Q: I haven’t been paid in 3 months. What do I do right now?

1. Document it in writing to the company. 2. Contact the ITF inspector at your next port. 3. If on board and cannot leave, call ISWAN: +44 20 7323 2737. They operate 24/7.

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Conclusion

MLC 2006 exists precisely because seafarers — working away from home in foreign jurisdictions — are uniquely vulnerable to exploitation. Knowing your rights is not optional. It is your first line of defence.

You don’t need a lawyer. You need to know what your rights are, document violations when they occur, and know exactly where to report them. The ITF, ISWAN, and DG Shipping are on your side — and they act.

The sea is your workplace. Demand it be treated as one.

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Facing a rights issue at sea and don’t know where to start? Chat with SailorGPT — India’s first AI mentor for seafarers. Get guidance on your specific situation. Free. Available 24/7.